Schools superintendent Drakulich resigns

Sisters Schools Superintendent Elaine Drakulich announced Wednesday that she will resign at the end of her three-year contract, which closes June 30.

Drakulich told the board at its Wednesday night meeting that she is leaving at the end of her contract to pursue other career opportunities. She did not specify what those opportunities are.

In her letter of resignation to the school board, Drakulich said, "... it is time for me to move to the next position in my career where I can continue my lifelong passion and work for individual student success in learning in public schools. I have been offered new career opportunities. I am in the process of deciding which one I will begin at the conclusion of my Sisters School District contract. Hence, I am resigning as of July 1, 2010." (See the full text of Drakulich's letter accompanying the online version of this story at http://www.nuggetnews.com.)

School board chair Christine Jones thanked Drakulich for her service to the district, noting several areas of accomplishment.

"During Elaine's tenure we have become a stronger school district in many ways," Jones said.

"Elaine's expertise has enabled us to deepen our commitment to higher levels of student achievement through better instruction and curriculum.

Elaine's work in the Chalkboard Project with its initial focus on professional development and evaluation, expanded use of assessment data to better meet student needs, support for academies at the high school and focus on getting the most out of professional learning communities are among the most important of her accomplishments.

Through Elaine's leadership, our district administration - notably human resource management, facilities management and financial services - does its job with even greater professionalism."

Drakulich's term was marked with personal tragedy when her husband, Nick Drakulich, died suddenly during treatment for cancer. Jones acknowledged that Drakulich "has served the school district with admirable dedication through unimaginably difficult personal circumstances. We are extremely appreciative of your willingness to soldier on and work day in and day out to improve the quality of education for Sisters students."

Drakulich oversaw the resolution of a complex legal tangle with the Oregon Department of Education over a disallowed homeschool program (a dispute that long predated her arrival in Sisters) and she helped negotiate a 10-year repayment schedule for the $1.2 million ODE determined the district received improperly through the program.

Jones also noted that "Elaine guided the district through a very difficult budget project last year and has overseen some important cost-saving measures."

Drakulich is the third superintendent the district has had since longtime superintendent Steve Swisher retired in 2003. Lynn Baker served for a year as an interim, and Ted Thonstad served from August 2004 through June 2007.

Board chair Jones acknowledged the perception that Sisters School District has had a hard time finding long-term leadership.

"While I can appreciate why some might think that, I'm told that the average tenure of a superintendent is about three years," she said. "So on that score our batting average is actually pretty good."

The school board met Monday afternoon to discuss initial plans to launch a search for a new superintendent.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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